Image processing apparatus management method and image processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus management method wherein an external management apparatus manages an image processing apparatus via an information communications terminal, having the steps of transmitting to the external management apparatus inputted first identification information inherent to the image processing apparatus and second identification information stored in the information communications terminal in advance; authenticating the transmitted second identification information based on second identification information previously stored in the management apparatus; acquiring operation information of the image processing apparatus previously stored being associated with the first identification information; transmitting to the information communications terminal the operation information of the image processing apparatus; accepting the input of the operation information of the image processing apparatus sent through the information communications terminal; and performing the specified operation corresponding to the operation information of the image processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the method for managing an imageprocessing apparatus via a communications network and image processingapparatus.

For the maintenance of the image forming apparatus of a copying machineand facsimile machine, communications technique and barcodes are used tocontrol the operation of the image forming apparatus in some cases inrecent years. For example, TOKKAIHEI No. P05-35014A discloses atechnique wherein an external device storing operation data created bymanual procedures or others is connected to an image forming apparatusand the stored data is displayed for guidance on the image formingapparatus.

Further, TOKKAIHEI No. P05-336323A discloses an image forming apparatuscontrol method wherein image formation is enabled by a barcode read by abarcode reader, instead of a key counter or key card which allowscopying when mounted on a copying machine.

Furthermore, for initialization of the image forming conditions requiredfor replacement of photoconductor and other parts, a barcode is attachedon the replacement part and side place of the apparatus in advance. Thisbarcode is read at the time of parts replacement, thereby allowing theimage forming conditions to be initialized (as disclosed in TOKKAIHEINos. P02-137858A and P01-312557A).

However, according to the inventions disclosed in the above-mentionedpublications, it was not possible to make a setting specific to eachimage processing apparatus. When it was necessary to make a settingbased on the operation history of each image processing apparatus,especially at the time of maintenance by a service person, it wasessential to check the operation history of the image processingapparatus before setting of individual functions. As a result, themaintenance work was very complicated. An image processing apparatusprovided with communications means and capable of communication with acenter server via a network and telephone line has introduced into themarket in recent years. This apparatus allows control commands to besent from the center server located in a remote place to the imageprocessing apparatus, and information on operation history to be sentback from this image processing apparatus to the center server, andenables the above-mentioned setting.

However, if a firewall was installed between the LAN (Local AreaNetwork) connected with the image processing apparatus and WAN (WideArea Network) represented by the Internet connected with the centerserver in order to prevent leakage of secret information communicatedonly by the LAN and to cut off the transmission of control command sentto the LAN-connected equipment by a malicious person connected to theWAN, the control command sent from the center server was often cut offby this firewall and setting work was disabled. Further, such settingwork was impossible in the image processing apparatus if not providedwith communications means.

The object of the present invention is to provide a management methodfor ensuring automatic operation control of an image processingapparatus in a management system comprising an image processingapparatus connected by a communications network, a management apparatusand an information communications terminal. Another object of thepresent invention is to provide a management method for allowingeffective management of an image processing apparatus unconnected to acommunications network, using an information communications terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following describes the configuration of the present invention forachieving the above-mentioned objects:

-   (1) An image processing apparatus management method wherein an    external management apparatus manages an image processing apparatus    via an information communications terminal;-   the aforementioned image processing apparatus management method    characterized by comprising;-   a step of transmitting to the management apparatus the input first    identification information inherent to the aforementioned image    processing apparatus and the second identification information    stored in the aforementioned information communications terminal in    advance, in an information communications terminal;-   a step of authenticating the aforementioned transmitted second    information based on the second identification information    previously stored in the aforementioned management apparatus, in the    management apparatus;-   a step of acquiring the information of the image processing    apparatus previously stored in the form associated with the    aforementioned first identification information sent in the above    step;-   a step of sending to the information communications terminal the    information on the image processing apparatus operation acquired in    the aforementioned step;-   a step of accepting the input of the information on the image    processing apparatus operation sent through the information    communications terminal, in the image processing apparatus; and-   a step wherein the image processing apparatus performs the specified    operation corresponding to the aforementioned information on the    image processing apparatus operation.-   (2) An image processing apparatus management method wherein an    external management apparatus manages an image processing apparatus    via an information communications terminal;-   the aforementioned image processing apparatus management method    characterized by comprising;-   a step of transmitting to the management apparatus the input first    identification information inherent to the aforementioned image    processing apparatus and the second identification information    stored in the aforementioned information communications terminal in    advance, in an information communications terminal;-   a step of authenticating the aforementioned transmitted second    information based on the second identification information    previously stored in the aforementioned management apparatus, in the    management apparatus;-   a step of acquiring the information of the image processing    apparatus previously stored in the form associated with the    aforementioned first identification information sent in the above    step;-   a step of sending to the information communications terminal the    information on the image processing apparatus operation acquired in    the aforementioned step;-   a step of displaying on display means of the information    communications terminal the image information based on the    information on the image processing apparatus operation sent in the    above step, in the information communications terminal;-   a step wherein the image processing apparatus reads out the    aforementioned displayed image information and analyze it, in the    image processing apparatus; and-   a step wherein the image processing apparatus performs the specified    operation corresponding to the information on the image processing    apparatus operation based on the result of analysis made in the    above step.-   (3) An image processing apparatus management method according to (1)    characterized in that the operation in the aforementioned    information on the image processing apparatus operation comprises at    least one of the following operations;-   an operation of storing into storage means of the aforementioned    management apparatus the user information on the user owning the    aforementioned image processing apparatus,-   an operation of changing the setting of the aforementioned image    processing apparatus,-   an operation of outputting the status of the aforementioned image    processing apparatus, and-   operation of carrying out self-maintenance of the aforementioned    image processing apparatus.-   (4) An image processing apparatus management method according to (1)    characterized in that;-   the aforementioned image processing apparatus comprises a step of    acquiring the result of operation in conformity to the    aforementioned information on the image processing apparatus    operation-   the aforementioned information communications terminal comprises a    step of sending the aforementioned result of operation to the    management apparatus, and-   the aforementioned management apparatus comprises a step of    recording the result of the aforementioned operation.-   (5) An image processing apparatus management method according to (4)    characterized in that;-   the aforementioned management apparatus comprises a step of    acquiring time information, and a step of generating management    information based on the aforementioned result of the operation and    the time information acquired in the above step; and-   the aforementioned result of analysis contains at least the    aforementioned management information.-   (6) An image processing apparatus comprising;-   image reading means for reading image information,-   operation information storing means for memorizing operation    information associated with the aforementioned image information,-   image analyzing means for analyzing the aforementioned readout image    information,-   operation control means for reading from the aforementioned storage    means the operation information corresponding to the aforementioned    analyzed image and for perform operation,-   operation result information generating means for generating as    operation result information the result of performing the operation    through the aforementioned operation control means, and-   output means for outputting the operation result information    generated above.

According to configurations (1) to (3), a management apparatuspreviously stores the operation performed by an image processingapparatus in the form associated with image information, and the imageinformation acquired by an information communications terminal from themanagement apparatus is displayed on display means, so that the imageprocessing apparatus reads out the displayed image information andperforms corresponding operation automatically. This eliminates thecomplicated work that would require a service man to perform inputoperations sequentially for adjustment and repair, and substantiallycuts down the maintenance time.

According to configurations (4) and (5), the management apparatusmanages the result of operations performed by the image processingapparatus. This provides correct information on the maintenance statusof the image processing apparatus and service status by the serviceperson.

According to the configuration (6), the operation corresponding to theimage information read by the image processing apparatus isautomatically performed, with the result that input operation by theservice person is eliminated and work efficiency is improved. Further,the image processing apparatus automatically generates the operationresult information, with the result that creation of a work report bythe service person is eliminated and the service person workload isreduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram representing an overall configuration of amanagement system 100 as an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the internal configuration of animage processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the machine ID asidentification information of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a ladder diagram describing the processing of initial settingto be executed among the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, centerserver 20 and PDA20 carried by the service person;

FIG. 5 is a ladder diagram describing the processing of maintenance tobe performed among the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, centerserver 20 and PDA20 carried by a service person; and

FIG. 6 is a ladder diagram describing the processing of program renewingto be performed among the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, centerserver 20 and PDA50 carried by the service person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following describes embodiments of the management method accordingto the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6:

The configuration will be described first:

FIG. 1 is a diagram representing an overall configuration of amanagement system 100 as an embodiment of the present invention.

A shown in FIG. 1, the management system 100 is configured in such a waythat an image forming apparatus 1, a user management terminal 20 forcontrolling the image forming apparatus 1, a center server 30 formanaging the operation control information of the image formingapparatus 1, a management center 30 a comprising a terminal for managingthe center server 30, a host terminal 40 of a service company takingcharge of maintenance work of the image forming apparatus 1, and a PDA50carried by the service person for performing maintenance of the imageforming apparatus 1 are connected to exchange data among them via anetwork N.

The image forming apparatus 1 as a managed apparatus in the managementsystem 100 is linked to a user management terminal 20 via an in-houseline such as LAN (Local Area Network) comprising a firewall function,and the status of its usage is managed. Further, the image formingapparatus 1 has a data communication function of sending and receivingdata from the center server 30 via the network N.

The user management terminal 20 is a computer comprising a firewall FWand linked to the image forming apparatus 1 through the in-house linesuch as LAN and is used to manage the image forming apparatus 1. Theuser management terminal 20 has a function of receiving the managementinformation of the image forming apparatus 1 from the center server 30through the network N. The firewall FW is a function provided betweenthe LAN and network N, and is supplied in the form of a computersoftware or network linking equipment such a router. It prevents leakageof secret information communicated only by the LAN and cuts off thetransmission of control command sent to the LAN-connected equipment by amalicious person connected to the network N. To put it morespecifically, it provides functions of cutting off the access to theLAN-linked image forming apparatus 1 and user management terminal fromthe computer connected to the network N, restricting the computerconnected to the LAN that permits communications via the network N,restricting the services provided through network N that can be utilizedfrom the LAN-linked computer or image forming apparatus 1, and detectingand eliminating the computer viruses sent through network N.

The center server 30 as a management apparatus in the management system100 is a computer comprising a CPU, storage unit and others, and isinstalled at a management center 30 a. The center server 30 associatesthe barcode as image information with the operation performed by theimage forming apparatus 1, and memorizes it as operation information. Italso received from the PFA50 the identification information of imageforming apparatus 1 and PDA50 carried by a service person and operationresult information, and manages such information.

The PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 50 as an information communicationsterminal in the management system 100 is carried by the service personand is equipped with a communications function and display means. ThePDA50 has a data communications function of sending and receiving dataamong the user management terminal 20, center server 30 and hostterminal 40 via the network N.

The network N is a communications network specifically designed formanagement of an image forming apparatus configured by using a leasedline or existing general public line. It allows application of variousforms of lines such as WAN (Wide Area Network) and Internet. Further,wired connection among terminals except for PDA50 is shown in FIG. 1,and wireless connection is also possible.

The following describes the details of the internal configuration of theimage forming apparatus 1 with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram representing the functional configuration of an image processingapparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 comprisesa control section 2, an image reading section 3, a RAM 4, a displaysection 5 comprising an input operation section, a memory section 6, animage forming section 7, a transfer section 8, a paper supply section 9,and communication controller 10. These sections are connected by a bus.

The control section 2 comprises a CPU (central processor unit) andothers. It reads out a program stored in the memory section 6, displaysit on the RAM 4 and provides a centralized control of various sectionsaccording to this program. Namely, the control section 2 carries outvarious forms of processing related to image formation, stores theresult of processing into the RAM 4, and displays it on the displaysection 5. The result of processing stored in the RAM 4 is saved in aspecified storage area in the memory section 6.

Upon receipt of signals for initial setting start operation performed bythe service person, the controller 2 outputs to the display section 5the machine ID as the first identification information inherent to theapparatus itself. The image reading section 3 reads and analyzes thebarcode representing the image information displayed on the displaymeans of the PDA50, and extracts the initial setting information asoperation information corresponding to the barcode. Based on the initialsetting information, the initial setting operation is performed. Uponcompletion of the initial setting, the time information gained from thetimer section 11 and the code information corresponding to the result ofsetting completion are generated and displayed on the display section 5as operation result information together with the initial settingresult.

Upon receipt of a signal for maintenance start operation performed bythe service person in the processing of maintenance to be describedlater, the controller 2 outputs to the display section 5 the machine IDas the first identification information inherent to the apparatusitself. The image reading section 3 reads and analyzes the barcoderepresenting the image information displayed on the display means of thePDA50, and extracts the self-maintenance test operation information asoperation information corresponding to the barcode. Based on thisoperation information, the self-maintenance test operation is performed,and the result of this test is output to the display section 5. Further,the barcode displayed on the display means of the PDA by the imagereading section 3 is read and analyzed, and the automatic operationinformation as operation information corresponding to the barcode isextracted. Based on this automatic operation information, settingoperation is performed. Upon completion of the setting operation, theresult of work completion is output to the display section 5. Thesetting opera ion is performed until the problems found out in the testprocess have been solved. Upon completion of this processing, the timeinformation gained from the timer section 11 and the code informationcorresponding to the result of work completion are generated anddisplayed on the display section 5 as operation result informationtogether with the result of work completion.

Upon receipt of an inquiry for the program version together with thesignal for maintenance start operation performed by the service personin the processing of program renewal to be described later, thecontroller 2 outputs to the display section 5 the machine ID as thefirst identification information inherent to the apparatus itself andthe program version information. When a program of the most renewedversion is sent from the center server 30, the program rewriting isperformed. Upon completion of this processing, the time informationgained from the timer section 11 and the code information correspondingto the result of completion are generated and displayed on the displaysection 5 as operation result information together with the result ofcompletion.

The image reading section 3 has a scanner under the contact glass wherean original document is to be placed, and is used to read the imagedata. The scanner comprises a light source, CCD (Charge Coupled Device)and the others, and reads out the document image by formation of imagesbased on the light reflected from the light used for scanning byillumination from the light source to the document, and by photoelectricconversion thereof. The read image data is output to the image formingsection 6. The image data here is not restricted to such an image dataas graphics and photos; it also contains text data such as charactersand symbols.

In various forms of processing controlled by the control section 2, theRAM (Random Access Memory) provides a temporary storage for the programread out from the memory section 6, input data, output data andparameter.

The display section comprises a LCD (liquid crystal display) and EL(Electro Luminescence), and displays the statuses of various operationbuttons and image data as well as identification codes on the displayscreen according to the display signal entered from the control section2.

Further, the display section 5 is integrated with the input operationsection 5 a. The input operation section 5 a comprises a pressuresensitive (resistance film pressure type) touch panel and others wheretransparent electrodes are arranged in a grid form. For the sake ofvisibility, it is preferred to be highly transmissive to light. Theinput operation section 5 a uses the voltage value to detect the XYcoordinates of the power point pressed by the finger or special-purposetouch pen. The detected position signal is output to the control unit 2as an operation signal. Further, the input operation section 5 a isprovided with various operation buttons including function buttons forswitching various settings.

The memory section 6 comprises a nonvolatile semiconductor memory suchas EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), andstores settings and others in conformity to the various programs andfunctions that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. Thememory 6 also stores the machine ID as the first identificationinformation comprising the product number and serial number as shown inFIG. 3 as identification information of the image forming apparatus 1.The memory section 6 associates with the barcode image the operationperformed by the image forming apparatus 1 and stores it as operationinformation.

The image forming section 7 processes the image data output from theimage reading section 3 to provide zoom in/zoom out operation, rotation,position change, according to the input instruction from the inputoperation section 5 a. The image data processed in this manner is outputto the transfer section 8.

The transfer section 8 comprises a photosensitive drum, toner andejection section.

The printing paper conforming to the size and orientation specified bythe input from the input operation section 5 a is fed from the papersupply section according to the output instruction from the controlsection 8, and electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitivedrum based on the image data input from the image forming section 7 isdeveloped by toner, whereby a toner image is produced. Further, thetransfer section 8 allows the toner image on the photosensitive drum tobe transferred onto the printing paper, and to be fixed it in place. Theprinted matter is output from the ejection port (not illustrated).

The paper supply section 9 is configured to ensure that the printingpaper fed to the transfer section 8 can be stored according to the sizeand orientation.

The communication controller 10 comprises modem (Modulator/DEModulator),terminal adapter and others, and provides communication control withexternal equipment linked to the network via the communications linesuch as a telephone line, ISDN line and leased line.

The timer section 11 counts the time and sends the time for operationstart and completion as time information to the control section 2 inresponse to the instruction of the control section 2.

The following describes the operation of the present embodiment:

In this present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 and centerserver 30 store the machine ID as the first identification information(hereinafter referred to as “machine ID”). The PDA50 and center server30 store the PDA ID as the second identification information(hereinafter referred to as “PDA ID”).

With reference to the ladder chart in FIG. 4, the following describesthe processing of initial setting performed among the image formingapparatus 1, PDA50 carried by the service person and center server 30when a company installs a new image forming apparatus 1.

The control information on the initial setting operation performed inthe image forming apparatus 1 in the processing of initial setting ispreset and stored in the image forming apparatus 1 and center server 30as initial setting information in the form associated with the barcodeimage.

In FIG. 4, individual information of the machine number or the otherscorresponding to the machine ID inherent to the image forming apparatus1 to be managed is stored previously in the center server 30.

Then when the service person performs initial setting startup operationon the image forming apparatus 1 (Step S2), the image forming apparatus1 having received the command of initial setting startup operation sendsits machine ID to the display section 5 (Step S3). Recognizing themachine ID on the display, the service person enters the machine ID inthe PDA50 (Step S31). The PDA50 encodes the input machine ID and PDA IDinherent to its own apparatus and sends it to the center server 30 (StepS4).

The center server 30 certifies PDA ID from the received code information(Step S5) and extracts the initial setting information preset in theform associated with the machine ID and sends it to the PDA50 (Step S6).The PDA50 extracts the barcode image information from the acquiredinitial setting information, and displays the barcode on display means(Step S7). Then the service person causes the displayed barcode to beread by the image reading section 3 of the image forming apparatus 1.

Having received the read command, the image forming apparatus 1 allowsthe barcode indicated on the display means of the PDA50 to be read bythe image reading section 3. Then it analyzes the read image data andautomatically starts the initial setting operation corresponding toidentified barcodes. Upon completion of the initial setting operation,it generates the information on time counted on the timer section 11 andcode information corresponding to the initial setting result, anddisplays it together with the initial setting result as operation resultinformation on the display section 5 (Step S8).

Having recognized the displayed result of initial setting completion,the service person enters the displayed code information into the PDA50,which sends the received code information to the center server 30 (StepS9). Using the result of initial setting obtained from the received codeinformation and the time information as maintenance information, thecenter server 30 renews the maintenance information of the correspondingmachine ID (Step S10).

The following describes the processing of maintenance carried out amongthe image forming apparatus 1, PDA center carried by the service personand center server 30 with reference to the ladder chart in FIG. 5.

It is assumed that, in the processing of maintenance, the image formingapparatus 1 and center server 30 presets and stores the controlinformation on the maintenance operation performed in the image formingapparatus 1 as maintenance information In the form associated with thebarcode image.

In FIG. 5, the service person performs the maintenance startup operationon the image forming apparatus 1 (Step S21). In response to themaintenance startup operation command, the image forming apparatus 1sends the machine ID of its own apparatus and copy count information (ifrequired) to the display section 5 (Step S22). The service personrecognizes the displayed machine ID and copy count information (if any),and enters the machine ID and copy count information in the PDA 5 (Step21). The PDA50 encodes the received machine ID and copy countinformation and copy count information together with the PDA ID of itsown apparatus and sends them to the center server 30 from maintenancethe PDA50 (Step S23).

The center server 30 certifies the PDA ID coming from the received codeinformation (Step S24), extracts the maintenance operation informationpreset in the form associated with the machine ID, and sends it to thePDA50 (Step S25). The obtained copy count information is renewed andstored as maintenance information. Then the PDA50 reads the maintenanceoperation information obtained from the center server 30, extracts thebarcode information, and displays it on the display means (Step S26).The service person causes the displayed barcode to be read by the imagereading section 3 of the image forming apparatus 1.

In response to the read command, the image forming apparatus 1 startsthe following sequence of self-maintenance operations: It causes theimage reading section 3 to read the barcode displayed on the displaymeans of the PDA50, and analyzes the read image data. It then reads themaintenance operation information corresponding to the recognizedbarcode and automatically scans to check if there is any faulty part orpart that requires replacement. Upon termination of the self-maintenanceoperations, the code information corresponding to the test result isgenerated and, together with the test result, is output to the displaysection 5 (Step S27).

Recognizing the displayed test result, the service person enters thedisplayed code information into the PDA50, which sends the received codeinformation to the center server 30 (Step S28). The center server 30obtains the test result information from the received code informationand analyzes it. Then it reads out the automatic operation informationthat is preset for automatic operation, such as setting changeoperations for solution of problems at faulty positions, adjustmentoperation and recovery operation including parts replacement; and sendsautomatic operation information corresponding to the test result to thePDA50 (Step S29). The PDA50 extracts the barcode information from thereceived automatic operation information, and displays the barcode onthe display means (Step S30). Then the service person causes the imagereading section 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 to read the displayedbarcode.

Upon receipt of the read command, the image forming apparatus 1 allowsthe image reading section 3 to read the barcode displayed on the displaymeans of the PDA. Analyzing the read image data, it starts automaticoperations such as setting change operations corresponding to therecognized barcode, adjustment operation and recovery operationincluding parts replacement. When automatic operation has beenterminated, the code information corresponding to the operation resultis generated and is output to the display section 5 together with theoperation result (Step S31). The service person recognizes the displayedoperation result and enters the displayed code information into thePDA50, which sends the received code information to the center server 30(Step S32). Here the work from Step S29 to Step S32 is repeated untilthe problem detected in the result of maintenance analyzed in Step S29is solved.

Upon completion of all operations, the image forming apparatus 1generates the information on time counted by the timer section 11 andthe code information corresponding to the operation completion result.This information is output to the display section 5 as operation resultinformation together with the result of operation completion (Step S33).Having recognized the result of operation completion, the service personenters the displayed code information in the PDA50, which sends thereceived information to the center server 30 (Step S34). The centerserver 30 renews and stores the operation completion result obtainedfrom the received code information as maintenance information togetherwith the time information (Step S35).

With reference to the ladder chart in FIG. 6, the following describesthe processing of program renewal to be made among the image formingapparatus, PDA50 carried by the service person and center server 30.

According to the embodiment of the FIG. 6, part of data that can beexchanged between the host terminal 40, and image forming apparatus 1 isrestricted by the firewall FW in the management system 100 of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 6, the service person performs maintenance startup operation onthe image forming apparatus 1, and makes an inquiry about the version ofthe program currently being used (Step S51). In response to the inquiryabout the program version, the image forming apparatus 1 outputs to thedisplay section 5 the machine ID of its own apparatus and the versioninformation of the program currently being used (Step S52). Havingrecognized the display machine ID and program version information, theservice person enters the displayed code information and program versioninformation into the PDA50, which encodes the received code informationand program version information together with the PDA ID of its ownapparatus, and sends them to the center server 30 (Step S53).

The center server 30 certifies the PDA ID according to the received codeinformation (Step S54), reads out the machine ID and the renewed programversion information corresponding to the program version information andsends them to the PDA50 (Step S55). The PDA50 having obtained therenewed program version displays the renewed program version informationon the display means to verify if the program is to be further renewedor not. Having received the signal for renewing the program sent by theservice person, the PDA50 requests the center server 30 to renew theprogram (Step S56).

In response to the request to renew the program sent by the PDA50, thecenter server 30 sends the newest version program to the image formingapparatus 1 via the network N (Step S57). Having received the newestversion program, the image forming apparatus 1 rewrites the program.After completion of processing, the image forming apparatus 1 generatesthe information on time counted by the timer section 11 and the codeinformation corresponding to the program renewal completion result, andoutputs it as operation result information together with the renewalcompletion result to the display section 5 (Step S58).

Having recognized the indicated renewal completion result, the serviceperson sends the displayed code information to the PDA50, which forwardsthe received code information to the center server 30 (Step S59). Thecenter server 30 renews and stores the completion result obtained fromthe received code information as maintenance information together withthe time thereof (Step S60).

As described above, in the management system 100 of the presentembodiment, the settings performed by the image forming apparatus,maintenance related operations are stored in the form associated withbarcodes. The barcode obtained from the center server 30 is displayed onthe PDA50 carried by the service person, and is read by the imageforming apparatus 1, whereby the image forming apparatus 1 automaticallyperforms the operation preset in the form associated with the barcode.This configuration eliminates the complicated work that would require aservice man to perform input operations sequentially for adjustment andrepair, and substantially cuts down the maintenance time.

Further, the maintenance operations are standardized, and this permitseven unskilled service person to accomplish reliable maintenance.Moreover, maintenance operations are set in the form associated with themachine ID as individual information of the image forming apparatus 1.This allows the operation to be performed in conformity to the type andstatus of each image forming apparatus, and ensures reliable maintenancework.

The present embodiment allows use of an information communicationsterminal such as the PDA commonly carried by service personnel. Thisensures maintenance to be performed without installation of a specialexternal apparatus.

Moreover, transmission of data from the image forming apparatus 1 to thecenter server 30 is carried out by the PDA50 carried by the serviceperson, so data can be sent and received without being restricted by thefirewall configured on the LAN on the of the image forming apparatus 1,whereby security is ensured.

The description of the present embodiment represents a preferred exampleof a management system using the management method according to thepresent invention, without being the present invention being limitedthereto.

For example, a barcode is used as an image for identifying the operationinformation in the present embodiment. However, the barcode may bereplaced by a pattern or letter if the operation information can beidentified.

Further, A PDA carried by service personnel is used as an informationcommunications terminal in the present embodiment. It may be replaced bya small-sized notebook PC, cellular phone or PHS if it is an informationcommunications terminal equipped with communications means and displaymeans.

The operations performed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be theones that are performed entirely by the image forming apparatus 1, orthe ones including the work done by the service person, for example,when parts replacement is required.

Bluetooth may be mounted on the image forming apparatus and informationcommunications terminal, or a wireless device may be used to receive andsend the data such as machine ID.

Further, the above description refers to the step of the service personrecognizing the machine ID, program version information or the like thatare output and displayed on the image forming apparatus 1, and enteringthe displayed code information and program version information into thePDA50. This step can be replaced by an alternative step of reading themachine ID and program version information displayed as barcodes bymeans of an image sensor such as CCD or CMOS installed on the PDA50, andthen extracting the machine ID and program version information from theoptically read image data by means of an image processing function suchan OCR software built in the PDA50. Or it can also be replaced by afurther step of connecting an input terminal provided on the PDA50 andan output terminal provided on the image forming apparatus 1, andentering the information through this connection.

Moreover, the present embodiment uses the image forming apparatus as anapparatus to be controlled. It can be replaced, for example, by anelectronic cash register, if it is equipped with communications meansand image reading means.

Further, each terminal of the management system 100, detailed structureof the component and detailed operations mentioned in the presentembodiment may be modified as required, without departing from thespirit of the present invention.

1. An image processing apparatus management method, wherein an externalmanagement apparatus manages an image processing apparatus via aninformation communications terminal, the image processing apparatusmanagement method comprising: transmitting, from the informationcommunications terminal to the external management apparatus, firstidentification information inherent to the image processing apparatus,which is inputted into the information communications terminal, andsecond identification information stored in the informationcommunications terminal in advance; authenticating, in the externalmanagement apparatus, the transmitted second identification informationbased on second identification information previously stored in theexternal management apparatus; acquiring, in the external managementapparatus, previously stored operation information of the imageprocessing apparatus that is associated with the first identificationinformation; transmitting, from the external management apparatus to theinformation communications terminal, the acquired operation informationof the image processing apparatus; displaying, on a display of theinformation communications terminal, image information based on theoperation information of the image processing apparatus; setting thedisplay of the information communications terminal at a reading positionof the image processing apparatus; reading, by the image processingapparatus, the image information displayed on the display set at thereading position of the image processing apparatus by using an imagereading section of the image processing apparatus; analyzing the readimage information, in the image processing apparatus; and performing oneof an initial setting operation, a maintenance operation and a programupdate operation corresponding to the operation information of the imageprocessing apparatus based on a result of analysis, in the imageprocessing apparatus.
 2. The image processing apparatus managementmethod according to claim 1, wherein the operation information instructsat least one of: an operation of storing into a storage device of theexternal management apparatus user information on a user of the imageprocessing apparatus, an operation of changing a setting of the imageprocessing apparatus, an operation of outputting a status of the imageprocessing apparatus, and an operation of carrying out self-maintenanceby the image processing apparatus.
 3. The image processing apparatusmanagement method according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring,in the image processing apparatus, a result of the operation performedby the image processing apparatus; transmitting the result of theoperation to the external management apparatus from the informationcommunications terminal; and recording the result of operation, in theexternal management apparatus.
 4. The image processing apparatusmanagement method according to claim 3, further comprising: acquiringtime information in the image processing apparatus; generatingmanagement information based on the result of the operation and the timeinformation, in the image processing apparatus; and transmitting themanagement information from the information communications terminal tothe external management apparatus.